Dear, dear loved ones,
As you know, we have been home since last Friday. Wonderful, wonderful home. My sister Doris, who is only 13 months younger than I am, and her husband Mickey O'Neal were here when we got home and are doing a wonderful job helping out. For you who might not know him, Mickey is Bill and Lizzy O'Neal's
son. Bill O'Neal ran the pool room in Melbourne for many years. Bradenton, FL, is Doris and Mickey's home. They are good to come to see us.
I think I am getting less sore and stronger as the days go by. I am not having to take as much pain medication as I was earlier using and I can get up and down better. Sometimes I do have an appetite
and food tastes like food. Doris and I are going to go for a short walk here in a minute.
We are having fun with the O'Neals. We talk and talk and talk, mostly about things from the past. We have been meaning to start putting a puzzle together but never seem to get started.
Thank for so much for the cards, letters, gifts, food, calls, but thank you most of all for your faithful prayers.
I feel the strength of your prayers daily. May God bless and keep.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday, February 23
Dear Friends,
I'm writing for Mother tonight because she was not able to get to a computer today. She saw the oncologist today in clinic. He says that it will probably be about 8 more weeks before she starts the chemo. This is the amount of time that he thinks it will take for her to heal from the surgery. The chemo drugs that she will be using will be mostly the same as the ones she was using before. She'll have another appointment with him in 6 weeks. She'll see the surgeon tomorrow morning. We think that he will remove the staples at that time. She and Dad will be returning home Friday afternoon. It sure will be great to have them home again.
Please continue to pray for Mother as she heals and starts on the chemo.
Sabra
I'm writing for Mother tonight because she was not able to get to a computer today. She saw the oncologist today in clinic. He says that it will probably be about 8 more weeks before she starts the chemo. This is the amount of time that he thinks it will take for her to heal from the surgery. The chemo drugs that she will be using will be mostly the same as the ones she was using before. She'll have another appointment with him in 6 weeks. She'll see the surgeon tomorrow morning. We think that he will remove the staples at that time. She and Dad will be returning home Friday afternoon. It sure will be great to have them home again.
Please continue to pray for Mother as she heals and starts on the chemo.
Sabra
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
February 22
I am getting excited thinking we may be going home Friday! I feel a little stronger each day. Usually I sleep well and food tastes like food. Water is still metallic tasting but better. Yesterday we went to a CVS pharmacy to get me a pair of reading glasses. My eyes do not fit my old glasses anymore but I don't want to replace them because the eyes are still changing. Anyway, we looked at several pairs. Bob disagreed with Sabe and me but we overruled him.
We are thankful to have the apartment here to stay in. It's not home but does have enough amenities to make it comfortable. Bob has even been able to practice his ironing skills.
Tomorrow the oncologist will tell us where the game plan stands, since the surgery as planned could not be done. I will have to wait until all is healed before I can restart chemo.
We have found two taxi drivers that we especially like. Many of the drivers are hard for old southern ears to understand. I think the drivers have even more trouble understanding us.
Sabra made a wonderful omelet for breakfast. Maybe I could presuade her and James to move in with us. My sweet sister Doris and her husband Mickey of Bradenton, FL plan to be at our house when we get home to help out. Again, I have to praise God for a wonderful family and friends.
I love you and hope to see you soon.
Dee
We are thankful to have the apartment here to stay in. It's not home but does have enough amenities to make it comfortable. Bob has even been able to practice his ironing skills.
Tomorrow the oncologist will tell us where the game plan stands, since the surgery as planned could not be done. I will have to wait until all is healed before I can restart chemo.
We have found two taxi drivers that we especially like. Many of the drivers are hard for old southern ears to understand. I think the drivers have even more trouble understanding us.
Sabra made a wonderful omelet for breakfast. Maybe I could presuade her and James to move in with us. My sweet sister Doris and her husband Mickey of Bradenton, FL plan to be at our house when we get home to help out. Again, I have to praise God for a wonderful family and friends.
I love you and hope to see you soon.
Dee
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, February 20
Dear Friends,
I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday. Things here are looking up. We are at the apartment and although it is not like home
in good old Arkansas, it sure beats the hospital. As I noted earlier, MD Anderson is a marvelous place, but I can do without the constant taking of vital signs and blood samples, a nurse wanting to know how much water you had drunk,etc. I know all these things are necessary but it doesn't seem like they should be primarily necessary at two in the morning.
I apologize for giving some of you the wrong address for the apartment. On the evening before we flew down here, we got a call that the current resident of the apartment we had rented was going to have to stay in town longer and take more treatment. The address of apartment is AMLI, 7009 Amanda, Apt. 613, Houston, TX 77054-2175.
I am feeling stronger each day and the pain is well controlled. I am eating solid food (please do not ever serve broth to me. I do not believe we were created to drink broth). I am not ready to run a foot race or do a cartwheel, but I can sit up alone and walk without support. Sabra has made a pot of vegetable soup and it smells wonderful. Bob has been such a wonderful help. I knew there was some reason I had kept him around for 50 years.
Please continue to pray that God will continue to heal. He is so good. I love you and hope to see you soon.
Love,Dee
I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday. Things here are looking up. We are at the apartment and although it is not like home
in good old Arkansas, it sure beats the hospital. As I noted earlier, MD Anderson is a marvelous place, but I can do without the constant taking of vital signs and blood samples, a nurse wanting to know how much water you had drunk,etc. I know all these things are necessary but it doesn't seem like they should be primarily necessary at two in the morning.
I apologize for giving some of you the wrong address for the apartment. On the evening before we flew down here, we got a call that the current resident of the apartment we had rented was going to have to stay in town longer and take more treatment. The address of apartment is AMLI, 7009 Amanda, Apt. 613, Houston, TX 77054-2175.
I am feeling stronger each day and the pain is well controlled. I am eating solid food (please do not ever serve broth to me. I do not believe we were created to drink broth). I am not ready to run a foot race or do a cartwheel, but I can sit up alone and walk without support. Sabra has made a pot of vegetable soup and it smells wonderful. Bob has been such a wonderful help. I knew there was some reason I had kept him around for 50 years.
Please continue to pray that God will continue to heal. He is so good. I love you and hope to see you soon.
Love,Dee
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday, February 18
Hello Dear, Dear Friends,
I am so happy for an opportunity to send you a post. I truly, truly have felt the power of your prayers and your love. Many times meditating on the many, many ways God has blessed (and continues to bless) my life
has raised my spirits and my faith. One of the most powerful blessings I have known is the love of family and friends.
This has been bad but He has been there. I am feeling stronger each day and looking forward to coming home in a week or two. There really is no place like home.
Sabra and Julie have been such a blessing through this. They anticipate my needs before they are even on my radar. Bob, too, has been a real trooper. He is a sweet, sweet man beneath all the bluff. I am thankful we have the apartment where he can escape for a few hours of sleep as needed.
Sabra took me down to the beauty shop here in the hospital this morning. My hair had not been cleaned with water since arriving here so you can imagine. It looks lovely now. I told Sabe
I wished I was up to going to a shingdig now.
MD Anderson is a remarkable place, I believe the most organized big organization I have ever seen. The staff is both very skilled and loving, a great combination. Some already seem like old friends.Many are
of other nationalities and often share their life stories. One lady who works with us is a Cambodian refugee
who lost her mother, father, and a sibling in a revolution. She and two other siblings made it to the USA.
Aren't we blessed to be citizens of such a wonderful country?
God bless each of you. I am anxious to see you and thank you personally. Please keep the prayers going up.
Love,Dee
I am so happy for an opportunity to send you a post. I truly, truly have felt the power of your prayers and your love. Many times meditating on the many, many ways God has blessed (and continues to bless) my life
has raised my spirits and my faith. One of the most powerful blessings I have known is the love of family and friends.
This has been bad but He has been there. I am feeling stronger each day and looking forward to coming home in a week or two. There really is no place like home.
Sabra and Julie have been such a blessing through this. They anticipate my needs before they are even on my radar. Bob, too, has been a real trooper. He is a sweet, sweet man beneath all the bluff. I am thankful we have the apartment where he can escape for a few hours of sleep as needed.
Sabra took me down to the beauty shop here in the hospital this morning. My hair had not been cleaned with water since arriving here so you can imagine. It looks lovely now. I told Sabe
I wished I was up to going to a shingdig now.
MD Anderson is a remarkable place, I believe the most organized big organization I have ever seen. The staff is both very skilled and loving, a great combination. Some already seem like old friends.Many are
of other nationalities and often share their life stories. One lady who works with us is a Cambodian refugee
who lost her mother, father, and a sibling in a revolution. She and two other siblings made it to the USA.
Aren't we blessed to be citizens of such a wonderful country?
God bless each of you. I am anxious to see you and thank you personally. Please keep the prayers going up.
Love,Dee
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday, February 16
Just talked to Julie then Mother on the phone. Everything is still right on track. Mother is getting out and walking more all the time and she continues to go all over in the wheelchair. Her catheter will probably be removed tomorrow as well as the epidural line. This will be great for improved mobility because there will be fewer things that have to be taken along. The doctor said that she will probably be released Saturday or Sunday to go to the apartment and will probably be seen in clinic next Tuesday or Thursday. After that she should be released to go home.
I'm going to Houston tomorrow afternoon and Julie will be returning home. We're hoping to get Mother an appointment at the hospital beauty shop on Friday. She hopes to get her hair done. We're looking forward to that outing.
Please continue to pray that Mother's recovery will go smoothly. Thanks so much.
Sabra
I'm going to Houston tomorrow afternoon and Julie will be returning home. We're hoping to get Mother an appointment at the hospital beauty shop on Friday. She hopes to get her hair done. We're looking forward to that outing.
Please continue to pray that Mother's recovery will go smoothly. Thanks so much.
Sabra
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Tuesday, February 15
Yesterday was an even better day for Mother. She was able to take a longer walk and even got to go for an outing in a wheelchair. Julie took her to some special areas of the complex and they even got to go sit outside in the sunshine for a while. She's feeling a little stronger and is more alert. The doctor said that she is recovering right on schedule and he expects her to be discharged late in the week. Of course, she will be going to the apartment there in Houston until she visits the clinic sometime next week.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sunday, February 13
Mother is doing fine. She did have a better day today than yesterday. She was able to go for two short walks (with assistance) and she sat up for quite a while. She's looking a little better and seems more alert. It seems that her pain has been under better control.
She's still on an all liquid diet. The thing she asks for most is ice water. She's also had broth, soda and popcicles.
The doctors think that she will be in the hospital until about Thursday or Friday before being released to go to the apartment there in Houston. She'll need to stay at the apartment for another week until she sees the doctors in clinic and is released to go home. Maybe she'll be home by February 25th.
I came home this afternoon and left Dad and Julie down there. Julie will be coming home Thursday and I'll be returning to Houston on the same day.
Thank you so much for your prayers on her behalf. Please continue to pray.
Sabra
She's still on an all liquid diet. The thing she asks for most is ice water. She's also had broth, soda and popcicles.
The doctors think that she will be in the hospital until about Thursday or Friday before being released to go to the apartment there in Houston. She'll need to stay at the apartment for another week until she sees the doctors in clinic and is released to go home. Maybe she'll be home by February 25th.
I came home this afternoon and left Dad and Julie down there. Julie will be coming home Thursday and I'll be returning to Houston on the same day.
Thank you so much for your prayers on her behalf. Please continue to pray.
Sabra
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Saturday, February 12
Mother is doing fine. She spent the night in a step down unit on the 3rd floor and was moved to a regular room on the 5th floor this afternoon. Her pain is mostly been controlled but several adjustments have been made to the pain medication. She's still receiving a small amount of oxygen and can't wait to get rid of that as it is drying her mouth out. She is able to eat ice chips and take small sips of water. They even bought a popcicle in today! Her vital signs have been pretty stable.
She sat up in a chair for 1 1/2 hours today. She also took a very short walk with assistance. That was somewhat of an accomplishment and I'm sure she'll try for even more tomorrow.
Sabra
Mother is doing fine. She spent the night in a step down unit on the 3rd floor and was moved to a regular room on the 5th floor this afternoon. Her pain is mostly been controlled but several adjustments have been made to the pain medication. She's still receiving a small amount of oxygen and can't wait to get rid of that as it is drying her mouth out. She is able to eat ice chips and take small sips of water. They even bought a popcicle in today! Her vital signs have been pretty stable.
She sat up in a chair for 1 1/2 hours today. She also took a very short walk with assistance. That was somewhat of an accomplishment and I'm sure she'll try for even more tomorrow.
Sabra
Friday, February 11, 2011
9:00 p.m.
Mother stayed in the rocovery room from 12:00 to around 6:00 p.m. because a room was not available elsewhere. She then moved to a room in a step down unit because a regular room was not available yet. That is okay with us as it means that she will be more closely monitored than she would be in a "room on the floor". She will probably be moved again tomorrow when a regular room becomes available.
Her pain has mostly been controlled with the epidural. She has had some trouble with itching due to the pain med but has been given med for that as well. She is also very glad to finally be getting ice chips!
Dad went to the apartment for the night and Julie and I plan to spend the night here at the hospital.
Your prayers are so very appreciated. Please continue to pray for our mother and her recovery.
Sabra
Her pain has mostly been controlled with the epidural. She has had some trouble with itching due to the pain med but has been given med for that as well. She is also very glad to finally be getting ice chips!
Dad went to the apartment for the night and Julie and I plan to spend the night here at the hospital.
Your prayers are so very appreciated. Please continue to pray for our mother and her recovery.
Sabra
12:00 update
Friends,
We talked with the surgeon a little while ago. He reported that he removed a section of Mother's colon that contained a tumor that had been showing up on the scans. He also removed the tumor that was in the abdominal wall that they had also known about, and they removed the omentum. The omentum is the fatty pad/layer that is in the front part of your abdomen that is often affected by cancers like the type Mother has.
They were not able to continue with a complete debulking of the entire abdominal cavity as there was too much disease present. Most of this remaining is in tiny pieces/patches that were not detectable on the scans. Since the debulking could not be completed they did not do the heated chemo wash.
Mother will be in the hospital for about a week until she is recovered enough to go home. Of course, the recovery from this surgery will be much less than it would have been from the other much larger surgery. The plan is for her to recover from this surgery and to restart chemotherapy as before. The surgeon feels that she was responding well to the chemotherapy before this and that it should continue to be helpful.
They have just called for us from the recovery room. Thank you for your prayers and concern.
Sabra
We talked with the surgeon a little while ago. He reported that he removed a section of Mother's colon that contained a tumor that had been showing up on the scans. He also removed the tumor that was in the abdominal wall that they had also known about, and they removed the omentum. The omentum is the fatty pad/layer that is in the front part of your abdomen that is often affected by cancers like the type Mother has.
They were not able to continue with a complete debulking of the entire abdominal cavity as there was too much disease present. Most of this remaining is in tiny pieces/patches that were not detectable on the scans. Since the debulking could not be completed they did not do the heated chemo wash.
Mother will be in the hospital for about a week until she is recovered enough to go home. Of course, the recovery from this surgery will be much less than it would have been from the other much larger surgery. The plan is for her to recover from this surgery and to restart chemotherapy as before. The surgeon feels that she was responding well to the chemotherapy before this and that it should continue to be helpful.
They have just called for us from the recovery room. Thank you for your prayers and concern.
Sabra
10:00 update
Well we just received an update on Mother from a nurse. She said that when they first took mother back they put stents in her bladder. Apparently, this is a precaution so that this area is well defined during surgery and not accidently damaged. That will be coming out at the end of surgery. The nurse said that the doc did not actually start with the debulking surgery until about 8:25. They have a very long incision in the abdomen and are going through and bebulking any tumor that is there. This would include any tumor they knew about going in and what they actually find when they get in. Vital signs are good. They are continuing as planned. More updates at 12:00.
Sabra and Julie
Sabra and Julie
7:00 a.m. update
Friends,
They have just taken Mother back to surgery. We got up at 3:30 a.m. this morning so that we could be here by 5:00. Things moved quickly after that. She did all the routine check-in things and was taken back to the holding area where her IVs were started and several doctors came around for last minute checks. They wheeled her back to the OR at 7:00 a.m. Her epidural will be started in the OR. This will also be used for post-op pain for 5-7 days. We will be getting an update at 10:00 a.m. That seems like such a long time. We will certainly be anxious to hear. After that, we will be getting reports every 2 hours. They are still thinking that the surgery will take 10+ hours. We will keep you updated as we know more. Please continue to pray.
Sabra
They have just taken Mother back to surgery. We got up at 3:30 a.m. this morning so that we could be here by 5:00. Things moved quickly after that. She did all the routine check-in things and was taken back to the holding area where her IVs were started and several doctors came around for last minute checks. They wheeled her back to the OR at 7:00 a.m. Her epidural will be started in the OR. This will also be used for post-op pain for 5-7 days. We will be getting an update at 10:00 a.m. That seems like such a long time. We will certainly be anxious to hear. After that, we will be getting reports every 2 hours. They are still thinking that the surgery will take 10+ hours. We will keep you updated as we know more. Please continue to pray.
Sabra
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Surgery Tomorrow
Dear family and friends,
Gran's surgery will be tomorrow morning beginning at 6am. As you know, it will probably last around 10 hours. Please be in prayer for her throughout the night tonight and during the day tomorrow. We will update this blog as soon as we have anything to report.
Please pray for Gran as she prepares for major surgery. Please pray for her surgical staff as they will be in surgery throughout the day. Please begin to pray for her recovery. We look forward to hearing a positive report.
My mom and Julie are already with Gran and Pop in Houston. Gran was looking forward to their arrival today and they arrived safely (despite the snow in Arkansas).
I look forward to updating you tomorrow with good news.
Thank you again for your prayers and love. Gran loves all of you.
-Jill Womack
Gran's surgery will be tomorrow morning beginning at 6am. As you know, it will probably last around 10 hours. Please be in prayer for her throughout the night tonight and during the day tomorrow. We will update this blog as soon as we have anything to report.
Please pray for Gran as she prepares for major surgery. Please pray for her surgical staff as they will be in surgery throughout the day. Please begin to pray for her recovery. We look forward to hearing a positive report.
My mom and Julie are already with Gran and Pop in Houston. Gran was looking forward to their arrival today and they arrived safely (despite the snow in Arkansas).
I look forward to updating you tomorrow with good news.
Thank you again for your prayers and love. Gran loves all of you.
-Jill Womack
Saturday, February 5, 2011
message from Dee
Dear Friend,
Tuesday Bob and I will be leaving for surgery, as you probably know. Please keep us in your prayers daily. I will be meeting with anesthesiologists and other people on the treatment team on Wednesday and Thursday and will be checking into the hospital for surgery on Friday the 11th at 6AM. Family and other visitors will be staying at an apartment, Promenade Hermann Park, at 6301 Almeda, Houston, TX 77021.
I treasure your friendship/love and covet your prayers.
Love,Dee
Monday, January 31, 2011
Blog Introduction
This blog was created to keep our family and friends informed about Gran's upcoming surgery. We will update it whenever possible.
For those of you who may need some clarification here is a little background information. Gran was diagnosed with peritoneal carcinomatosis shortly before Christmas in 2009. This was the result of a metastasis from a previous colon cancer. She has been receiving infusion chemotherapy every other week throughout 2010 and into 2011. The M.D. Anderson Cancer Treatment Center in Houston Texas (a part of the University of Texas) has been coordinating her care. She has been receiving her chemotherapy at Baptist in Little Rock and traveling to Houston every 3rd month.
From the beginning we were aware of a powerful treatment for this type of secondary cancer known as Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). Recently, Gran's physicians determined that she is a viable candidate for this invasive 10-12 hour surgery.
Gran's surgery has been scheduled for February 11th. The physicians hope to perform a more routine surgery removing up to two cancerous sites. However, they feel that they may need to do the alternative treatment (if there are any more than 2 places with cancer or if they have any doubts). They will have the staff and equipment available to do the Cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC if necessary.
Gran and Pop will be heading to Texas on Tuesday February 8th. She will be in Houston for 5-6 weeks. She will be in the hospital for 3 weeks. Pop and our family will be staying in a hotel in Houston near the hospital.
Please be in prayer.
Pray for Gran's health, the physicians' discernment, the ability of the staff to perform the necessary tasks, an infection free environment, a heart of peace for Gran and her family, the best post surgical care, etc.
Please feel free to leave a message here or to send an email to prayersfordee@gmail.com.
Thank you for your support and love for my dear Gran.
-Jill Womack
For those of you who may need some clarification here is a little background information. Gran was diagnosed with peritoneal carcinomatosis shortly before Christmas in 2009. This was the result of a metastasis from a previous colon cancer. She has been receiving infusion chemotherapy every other week throughout 2010 and into 2011. The M.D. Anderson Cancer Treatment Center in Houston Texas (a part of the University of Texas) has been coordinating her care. She has been receiving her chemotherapy at Baptist in Little Rock and traveling to Houston every 3rd month.
From the beginning we were aware of a powerful treatment for this type of secondary cancer known as Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). Recently, Gran's physicians determined that she is a viable candidate for this invasive 10-12 hour surgery.
Gran's surgery has been scheduled for February 11th. The physicians hope to perform a more routine surgery removing up to two cancerous sites. However, they feel that they may need to do the alternative treatment (if there are any more than 2 places with cancer or if they have any doubts). They will have the staff and equipment available to do the Cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC if necessary.
Gran and Pop will be heading to Texas on Tuesday February 8th. She will be in Houston for 5-6 weeks. She will be in the hospital for 3 weeks. Pop and our family will be staying in a hotel in Houston near the hospital.
Please be in prayer.
Pray for Gran's health, the physicians' discernment, the ability of the staff to perform the necessary tasks, an infection free environment, a heart of peace for Gran and her family, the best post surgical care, etc.
Please feel free to leave a message here or to send an email to prayersfordee@gmail.com.
Thank you for your support and love for my dear Gran.
-Jill Womack
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)